1963 c20 build ideas and your thoughts

[mattwicki]

Hi,
My name is Matt I'm new to the forum and wanted to pose my build idea and see if what I've heard is factual and practical. I'm about to buy a 1963 c20, it has a 4 speed tranny with a granny gear mated to a first gen 350 sbc. What are affordable engine upgrades to start out?

I have heard that getting some vortec heads and upgrading the intake manifold to allow the install is a fairly easy and with benefit of increased hp. Now if this is true how do I know what cam to get? I do want an "oversized" cam with the bang for my buck.

Any other ideas would be most helpfull thank you for your time,
Matt

[endlessearth]

Welcome to the forum Matt. I have a '64 C20 and I have a 283 V8 with the same tranny (and probably the same rear differential gear ratio.)

I got mine a few months ago and, like you, I started by focusing on extracting more power from my motor. In the end, for my needs (more top end to handle the speeds here in Phoenix where even the local streets around my house have 50mph speed limits with traffic doing closer to 60) I ultimately decided to ditch the SM420 in favor of a TKO500 5 speed manual so that I can keep up with traffic. It is going to get a nice lumpy 355 in front of it too and my 283 will go into a hot rod project. I already took "before" pics and videos and will post those along with "after" pics and video so that everyone can see the difference.

[earl84]

Matt, I think realistically, you will have significantly more gain by changing transmission than you will be doing anything to the engine. I have the exact same setup as you do, and haven't driven much, but when it's time for drivetrain upgrades, the engine will remain the same, the transmission will go in favor of either probably a TKO500 or an NV4500. I probably won't have enough money to do both, so that's my plan. Haven't done enough research to know which is easier or better to switch, but that's what I am going to do. BTW, I have 4.11 gears in the rearend.

[Captainfab]

Welcome to the forum Matt

Before you go and add upgrade parts to your 350, I would do an compression and or leakdown test to determine the actual condition of the engine. If it happens to have piston ring issues, there is no sense on bolting on new upgrade parts.

If the bottom end does check out good, then yes the L31 Vortec heads are a good upgrade IMO. As for a cam, the Vortec heads in stock form will not accept a valve lift of more than .480. Some guys say to stay below .460. The Comp Cams Extreme Energy and Lunati Voodoo cams are good cams.

Then of course you will need a good carb, ignition and exhaust to take full advantage of the head, intake and cam upgrade.

[mattwicki]

Originally Posted by Captainfab

Welcome to the forum Matt

Before you go and add upgrade parts to your 350, I would do an compression and or leakdown test to determine the actual condition of the engine. If it happens to have piston ring issues, there is no sense on bolting on new upgrade parts.

If the bottom end does check out good, then yes the L31 Vortec heads are a good upgrade IMO. As for a cam, the Vortec heads in stock form will not accept a valve lift of more than .480. Some guys say to stay below .460. The Comp Cams Extreme Energy and Lunati Voodoo cams are good cams.

Then of course you will need a good carb, ignition and exhaust to take full advantage of the head, intake and cam upgrade.

thank you for your input, it is vary much appreciated, now the valve lift numbers that you posted befor when you add a cam do you actually have to modify the valves or is that all controlled by the actual cam size? (new to valve train work)

[Captainfab]

If your new cam exceeds the valve lift of .460-.480" then you will have to have the heads checked at a machine shop for valve spring retainer to valve seal clearence, as well as valve spring coil clearence. If the clearence is insufficient, the valve guide may need machined and or different springs and retainers installed. There are a couple different ways to achieve correct valve seal to retainer clearence.

Originally Posted by mattwicki

thank you for your input, it is vary much appreciated, now the valve lift numbers that you posted befor when you add a cam do you actually have to modify the valves or is that all controlled by the actual cam size? (new to valve train work)

[19666Trucker]

What are the goals with the c20 is goubg to be daily driver, hauler, or just weekend cruiser. Before up grade horsepower make sure do compression and leak down test. Also get the casting number off your engine and heads. That you know what you have for good base to work with. Study up before you rip into it.

[mattwicki]

all i want is some decent torque and hp around 350 to 400 on both